My family originates from the Bashers around Helston. My grandfather was borne there. We have a family bible with a family tree beginning with a marriage in 1776. We were always told that the ancestor of the Cornish Bashers was a Breton sailor shipwrecked at Basher's Harbour (or Cove as I was originally told) and that he was one of two brothers in the wreck to be rescued and he stayed and married a farmer's daughter some time in the 17th century. My Dad's cousin did try to trace the Breton origins years ago and thought that the name may have originated as something like Bassiere? I would really like to get information further back that 1776 if anyone can help, thanks.

This web page http://falcon.arts.cornell.edu/prh3/bktales.html has a record of a legal case from c1200AD which refers to a Mr Basher/Boscher. Scroll down to "CUSIN (MONACHUS) v. FITZJOHN (1196-1201)" or do edit-find on 'Basher'. I had heard of a Breton link but my grandfather died quite young and it was just a passing comment made by my grandmother. I also heard the full story elsewhere. The name also seems sometimes to have been spelled as Bassher/Basshar etc in earlier centuries.

btw T, would be interested to know if your bible family tree had any reference to (H)ester Anne (b 1882 - daughter of James Basher)or an Albert Henry Basher (b 1978/9) ? I suppose anyone with the name Basher from the Helston area must connect up somewhere along the line!

Ceallach: I have a James Basher born 1848, but have no information of any decendents from him. His brother was Richard born 1840, and he married Hester Anne Rogers in 1873. They were my great grand parents. I could not find the others that you mentioned. Thanks for replying. Tony

Thanks Tony. What was James' and Richard's father's name? Would help me confirm if it is the same James.
Would you mind emailing me on (edited 2015 to remove obselete address) ? I have several bits and pieces of info gathered a few years ago that might interest you.

Last edited by Ceallach on Tue Apr 21, 2015 3:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Ceallach: I tried to send an email to you but it was returned indicating that it is not a correct email address. Anyway this is the ancestory: John Johannes) Bashure married Ursula Oliver in 1776, they had a son James Basher born in 1781, he inturn had a son Richard born in 1807 who later married Elizabeth Lambro one of their sons was the Richard born in 1840. I can send you more info if you can correct your email address. Thanks, Tony

Thanks Tony. Were you putting the @ sign instead of the (at)? I was trying to avoid getting spam mail. The proper way to write it is:
(Removed obselete email address 2015)
Now: talyrni (followed by @hotmail.com) Thanks C.
I'm trying to compare names and dates to the Cornish Census of 1871. will let you know how I get on.

Last edited by Ceallach on Tue Apr 21, 2015 3:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I am researching the Basher family for a friend, Jim Basher of St. Keverne. I have got back to Alexander in 1701. Jim also knows the story of the shipwrecked brothers. He was told by his family that he was a descendant. His grandfather was James Basher born 1883 at St. Martin.

Thought I might risk reviving this one again in case anyone has come up with further info on the subject?

I'd also love to get in touch with "Bill of Polgarth" and find out more about the "History of the Basher family" which he mentioned in a post above. Perhaps someone else has heard of this or seen a copy? Come back please Bill if you happen to read this...